Woke in our cabin feeling very rested and ready for the next long 7 days ahead of us before our next rest day. The next couple of days we have 150/ 150/ 150/ 185/ 80/ 150/ 150 kms. Some big riding days, let's hope the weather and winds are kind to us.
Some of the riders (Georg, Woody, Jan & Gill) are not looking forward to the bush camps but most of them enjoy the experience. Tonight we will be camping on a station with permission from the manager of the station. Thanks Mick, this is much appreciated as the fence is really close to the road the whole journey today and there is no where else for us to camp.
Morning tea was at the WW2 airfield rest area. We had bakery style chocolate chip & Anzac biscuits. The wind has been up their behinds all the way here this morning and as Jan stated "We're cruising". No complaints so far.
Lunch was at the David Hall rest area. The wind has really picked up and it is blowing a gale (favoring the cyclists). Making lunch time a little chilly. The temperature has dropped quite a bit.
The entrance to the station was exactly where Collis had stated to the cyclists and we set the sign out on the R) hand side of the road before entering the property. The road in was a bit tricky as there had been quite a bit of erosion since Collis was last here so it took us a while to find our way down to the river. As we started to unpack I happened to look towards the road and spotted a cyclist standing opposite the sign and I mentioned to Collis that the first had arrived. I waved but got no response back ( we were a fair way from the road). Another cyclist arrived and they appeared to be having a discussion before coming into the property, in the meantime I am walking quite quickly towards them and yelling out "coo-ee".
The two riders appear to be getting back on their bikes, I start to run and scream out to them, Collis is running behind me swearing to himself and the riders are riding off down the road and out of sight. Another rider appears just before I get to the gate and he stops but jumps back on his bike ready to follow the other two before I eventually gain his attention and Peter S has arrived. The two riders must be Bob & Ben, surely they will click soon enough that they have gone too far- all the signs were there, Weeroona Creek, the huge windmill and the cyclist sign. It has started to sprinkle rain and I have chosen to stand at the sign and direct the cyclists in- it is freezing and my clothes are wet but I didn't want to lose any more riders. The other car comes along and it goes off after the two we lost. All riders come in within the half hour of me standing there barr the two missing. Where the hell are they and now we've also lost the other car who went down the road to find them. I'm frozen!!! Out of the sleet I spot the car coming very slowly towards me with both riders streaming behind. Now we can start our evening.
John prepares the fire down in the dry river bed and lights it just before the rain starts coming down. As the fire master John accepts the onerous task of remaining with the fire in the rain and ensuring it remains alight. The rest of us retreat to our tents ( or in our case the car ) waiting for the rain to go away. It was quite heavy for nearly an hour when it started to subside and eventually stopped. John and I split a nice bottle of wine in thanks for his devotion to his title. Poor Melanie (princess) had some water damage in her tent but she is tough and Jacquei was looking after her. In the meantime I cooked apricot chicken with mashed potatoes, peas & corn followed by a peach & apple crumble with cream for dessert.
A pleasant night was enjoyed by everyone and the camping area was quiet most of the night.
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